Richard Kahui will make his first appearance of the season in the Chiefs' starting side, against the Blues in Mt Maunganui on Saturday, having impressed from the bench against the Highlanders in round six.

The All Blacks centre, who is bound for Japan at the end of the season, had not played for 10 months, after his latest round of shoulder surgery, when he took the field against the Highlanders.

Kahui's partner at inside centre will be Bundee Aki, the pair replacing Tim Nanai-Williams and Andrew Horrell among several changes to the team.

Augustine Pulu will wear the No. 9 jersey after tawera Kerr-Barlow was found to have broken his jaw against the Highlanders, with 13-Test All Blacks scrum-half Brendon Leonard returning from a cheek injury to provide back-up off the bench.